March 15, 2013

Posted on Expand Your Business

Expand your business, fill your calendar, and make connections through the Pike County Chamber of Commerce! Visit us at www.pikechamber.com for information, events, and special new member benefits, and more! Advance your business and become a member of the PCCC!

Pike County Chamber to hold Seminar on “Gas Lines in Pike County”

Posted on March 13, 2013

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce will be continuing their Third Thursday Breakfast Seminar Series on March 21, 2013 with the topic of “Gas Lines in Pike County”, understanding the needs, pressure and the strategy of locating gas lines, with Guest Speaker Mr. Allen Fore, the Director of Public Affairs for Kinder Morgan.

There has been much discussion about gas lines in Pike County. Issues relating to the National Park, residential areas and schools are just a few concerns that have been voiced by elected officials and private citizens alike.

The Tennessee Pipeline, which supplies many areas of the country with plentiful and inexpensive energy, is owned by Kinder Morgan Corporation. They are often asked to adjudicate numerous concerns of many, often conflicting, interest groups. Our seminar will look at the pressures, options and strategies that make those often difficult decisions workable.

Our featured speaker will be Allen Fore, the Director of Public Affairs for Kinder Morgan. Allen has more than 25 years of experience in law, government, public affairs and public relations at the local, state, and national levels. At Kinder Morgan, Allen manages public affairs, government relations, and community relations activities for existing company assets and major expansion projects. Before joining Kinder Morgan, Mr. Fore was a Senior Vice President at Fleishman-Hillard, an international communications company. Mr. Fore has served in the Bush Administration and was an assistant attorney general of Illinois and general counsel to the lieutenant governor of Illinois. Mr. Fore was a Ronald W. Reagan Scholar and earned his B.A. degree at Eureka College. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Valparaiso University.

Held at the Best Western Inn at Hunt’s Landing in Matamoras, PA, the program begins promptly at 7:30a.m. with breakfast ready at 7:15a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2013. It is $15.00 per person for Pike Chamber members and $20.00 per person for Non-members and you must RSVP to reserve your space by calling 570-296-8700 no later than March 20th.

Pike County Chamber Adds New $99.00 Membership Category

Posted on March 11, 2013

Small businesses are a critical part of the U.S. economy and make up a majority of the business community not only in Pike County but all across America. Non-Employee businesses are small businesses and actually make up the majority of businesses in Pike County. With the current economies highs and lows; all businesses are struggling but we would like to offer some incentive for the non-employee business to become part of an organization representing larger group of businesses and get the same benefits.

Local Chambers of Commerce are an extremely valuable resource for business planning, making business connections, marketing, and promotion to assist with a business' sustainability and growth. Taking advantage of such resources from your Chamber membership can make a significant difference in a business operation. The Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the cooperative efforts of the business and residential community toward the preservation of quality, character and vitality of Pike County, PA. The Chamber is the voice of the business community thus effecting desirable improvements within the business area. We work continuously toward the accomplishment of mutual goals, which contribute to the economic health and vitality of Pike County as a whole.
We value each and every membership and in lieu of having to raise the membership dues across the board, we have added a new membership category for the home-based non-employee businesses. It is the "Non-Employee Business" category and is defined as a solo-operation, consultant, product/service related, can be supported by outside contractors but no employees, sole proprietorship and home-based only and is only $99.00 per year.

The Pike County Chamber is the leading business advocate in Pike County, PA. We are strong champions for local business interests and work vigorously to maintain a healthy economy. The Pike County Chamber of Commerce works in conjunction with the Pike County Economic Development Authority in which business and professional people work together for the common good of the community. A better community means better business conditions.

Surveys have revealed that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy because two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers, and are involved in the community. Members will each have their own reasons for joining but we all share a common goal of making Pike County a viable place to do business.

The membership sale is still in effect through May 31st as well. If a business joins the Pike Chamber and pays in full, they will received a 30% discount off their dues; if they opt to pay their dues in three monthly installments, they would get a 20% discount. Membership investment dues are based on business categories. You can find out the various categories on the member application. To get a member investment application please visit our website www.pikechamber.com, call Chamber President Philly Viscardo at 570-828-6406 or call Chamber Executive Director Michael Sullivan at 570-296-8700.

Pike Chamber Announces Membership Sale!

Posted on March 5, 2013

In today’s business climate, business owners are looking to trim expenses wherever they can and in these challenging times; one would think dues for membership is an expense easy to cross off the list. Unfortunately, they sometimes fail to realize that a Chamber membership can add to your bottom line in the long run. Chamber membership can be at its highest value to a business when adverse economics are present. Local Chambers are an extremely valuable resource for business planning, making business connections, marketing, and promotion to assist with sustainability and growth. Taking advantage of such resources from your Chamber membership can make a significant difference in a business operation.

The primary functions of the Chamber go far deeper than print nice brochures, answer inquiries and advertise what a great place the area is to work, live and play. The Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst– a common vehicle through which business and professional people work together for the common good of the community. A better community means better business conditions, and we work for a better community for everyone. That’s why we do what we do and now is a great time to band together and grow.

What we're hoping to accomplish is not to grow our numbers for the sake of increasing our rolls, but to gain new insight, creativity and support for the programs we manage, to step up our services to business and to keep ahead of the changing times. A greater membership makes more options available.
A larger membership means a stronger voice. The Chamber is always advocating for the businesses in Pike County. When we call on our elected officials it makes a huge difference to say that we currently represent a large number of Pike County businesses and their employees. A stronger Chamber means more services for our members. An increase in membership will result in more flexibility when it comes to adding on additional programs and services for our members. A larger Chamber means better networking. Obviously, for every new member that we have, that's one additional business that will read your press release in the newsletter, see your ad on our Web site, meet you at business card exchange and find your services in our membership directory.

Members will each have their own reasons for joining but some of the benefits that Pike County Chamber does for its members are connections to new customers/clients through networking, low-cost advertising, tools to increase profits, business consulting, exposure, lobbying and advocating on behalf of businesses, promoting areas businesses and working on economic development projects in the region. Member businesses range from realtors to financial planners, retail shops to art galleries, restaurants, at home consultants, physicians and lawyers; but we all share a common goal of making Pike County a viable place to do business.

Membership is what makes a Chamber of Commerce. Members provide the ideas, the drive, the goals, the funds and the voluntary services to keep the Chamber doing what it does through your participation. "It really says something about your company if you're a member of the local Chamber of Commerce. It's a sign of quality and commitment” says Pike Chamber President Philly Viscardo. The Chamber would not be what it is today without the dedication and support of our membership. The staff can come and go but the membership is the constant that keeps this ship afloat.

For the next three months from March 1st to May 31st if a business joins the Pike Chamber and pays in full, they will received a 30% discount off their dues; if they opt to pay their dues in three monthly installments, they would get a 20% discount. Membership investment dues are based on business categories. You can find out the various categories on the member application. To get a member investment application please visit our website www.pikechamber.com, call Chamber President Philly Viscardo at 570-828-6406 or call Chamber Executive Director Michael Sullivan at 570-296-8700.

New Member

Posted on March 1, 2013

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed in their newest member last week; May Brother's Landscaping. Michael Sullivan the Chamber's Executive Director, Office Manager Lee Ann Camarero along with Chamber President Philly Viscardo were on hand for a quick shot with Aaron and Ted in front of one of their trucks. May Brother's Landscaping is involved in all aspects of Landscaping. Their services include, Hardscaping (walls & patios), Landscape Design, commercial and residential Ground Maintenance & Snow Removal. They also offer parking lot striping for our commercial customers. May Brother's takes a tremendous amount of pride in the work we do and as our logo states, we are "Committed to Excellence" said owners Aaron May and Ted Dabney. For more information and pricing, please feel free to call them at either 570-228-6994 or 570-872-1205 or visit www.facebook.com/maybrotherslandscaping.

The Melting Pot Cookbook

Posted on February 28, 2013

Check out The Melting Pot cookbook assembled by the Women in Business Committee of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce! With recipes from other women and local chefs you're bound to find a new family or party favorite! For $10.00 each you can get your own copy today by calling the Chamber at 570-296-8700 or ordering it online here: www.pikechamber.com/index.php?page=wib_cookbook